Loko And CSKA Clash In Krasnodar

Lokomotiv-Kuban hosts CSKA Moscow in Week Seven's top showdown.

Who:
Lokomotiv-Kuban, 2014-15 VTB United League semifinalists
vs.
CSKA, 2014-15 VTB United League champions

Where:
Basket Hall (capacity 7,500), Krasnodar, Russia

When:
8:00 PM (8:00 PM MSK), October 9, 2015

TV:
NTV+, Match TV, VTB-League.com

Face to Face
Historically, Lokomotiv has not fared well against CSKA. The Army Men hold a 45-7 edge in the all-time series.

But in VTB United League competition, CSKA's lead is just 10-5. The two teams first met in 2011-12 and the rivalry has quickly established itself as one of the league's best. Last season, Loko was the only club to beat CSKA twice: 81-73 in Krasnodar and 78-76 in Moscow. Going back further, these teams featured in two of the league's most memorable postseason tilts: the 2013 playoff finals and 2014 playoff quarterfinals. In 2013, CSKA held off a feisty Lokomotiv in four games to win the championship. The following year, Lokomotiv stunned the Army Men by winning Games 1 and 2 of the quarterfinals in Moscow. When the series shifted to Krasnodar, Ettore Messina's men returned the favor, evening the series at 2-2. Having missed two chances to close out the series at home, Krasnodar never really threatened in Game 5, losing 84-65.

Looking Back

Intrigue
Lokomotiv and CSKA are the only two undefeated teams left in the Euroleague after scoring wins over Karsiyaka and Darussafaka last week. Krasnodar, however, has not been as successful in the VTB United League. Lokomotiv would fall to 3-3 with a loss on Monday, dropping the Railwaymen two and a half games back of 1st-place Zenit. On top of sinking Lokomotiv in the standings, CSKA would love to take revenge for the two defeats last season. The Army Men also have a score to settle with Lokomotiv-Kuban coach Georgios Bartsokas. Back in 2013, Bartsokas coached Olympiacos to a memorable victory against CSKA in the Euroleague semifinals.

Both teams have players that used to compete on opposite sides of the barricades. Nikita Kurbanov was a leader at Lokomotiv last season, while Krasnodar features three ex-Army Men: Alexey Zozulin, Evgeny Voronov and Sergey Bykov.

CSKA captain Viktor Khryapa broke his hand in the win over Darussafaka, leaving the Army Men extremely thin in the frontcourt (Joel Freeland and Pavel Korobkov are also unavailable). As for Loko, Kyrylo Fesenko returned in the game against Karsiyaka, while Anthony Randolph and Nikita Balashov continue to rehab.

Question
Who will win the backcourt battle?

CSKA may have the best backcourt in Europe. Milos Teodosic and Nando De Colo are superstars and do an excellent job sharing responsibilites on the court. Against Darussafaka, Teodosic and De Colo combined for half of the team's points, not to mention Teodosic's nine assists.

Loko also has an impressive collection of guards. Sergey Bykov and Evgeny Voronov are lockdown defenders, while Dontaye Draper and Malcolm Delaney keep the offense humming. Delaney was even named Euroleague MVP in October and should be fired up for a chance to battle one of Europe's top clubs.

Duel
Andrei Zubkov (Lokomotiv-Kuban) vs. Andrey Vorontsevich (CSKA).

The Russian national team did not have a good EuroBasket 2015, but Vorontsevich (Defensive Player of the Year and Playoff MVP) and Zubkov impressed in the frontcourt. Last season, Vorontsevich earned big minutes from Dimitris Itoudis with his play. Zubkov hopes to do the same this season under Bartsokas. On Monday, the top two Russians at the European championships will face off in Krasnodar and try to determine who's the top Russian forward in the game right now.

Quotes
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Georgios Bartsokas:
- We know what we're capable of when we enter a game in good physical condition and with the proper attitude. Defense and discipline from the opening seconds should be our primary weapon against CSKA. We need to be more consistent in the VTB United League starting now, regardless of our opponent's status.

CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis:
- We face a road game against a club that hasn't lost yet in the Euroleague. Lokomotiv is a good team with experience, athleticism, a solid system and ambitions. The game is going to be tough.

Prediction
- I think this will be a true battle between Russian basketball titans, - notes Seoul Olympic champion Sergei Tarakanov. - It's impossible to predict right now who will win. CSKA has already proved to everyone that it's a team of the highest quality. Lokomotiv-Kuban is also on the right path. Loko has been a thorn in CSKA's side for several years, beating the Army Men on occasion. This season, the Muscovites have an advantage in the backcourt. In my opinion, Nando De Colo is playing the best basketball of his career, while evil genius Milos Teodosic and team captain Aaron Jackson allow CSKA to neutralize some of the frontcourt issues. Everyone knows Joel Freeland is injured and that Viacheslav Kravtsov can only play a few minutes, putting the pressure on Kyle Hines and Demetris Nichols. Krasnodar will have an advantage under the basket. The Krasnodar fans will also do everything they can to help Lokomotiv win. The odds are even and the game should be very exciting!